Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-15
DAILY HERALD.
ACTUALLY CAPTURED.
F. Williams the Wife MUIR
derer Caught.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST.
The Prisoner Refuses to Testify,
and His Drunken Conduct
Causes His Removal.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST.

puDlisllcu Tic SiCkcHlIlR uetdllS vi tle
murder of the night before, wherein
F. Williams, prompted by jealousy
shot and killed his wife on the corner
Of Guadalupe and Second streets. The
killing was the general topic Ct con-
versation on the streets during the day
and loud were the denunciations of the
police force for allowing the murderer
to escape. Yesterday morning when
Chief Skinner went down to his office
he was not little surprised to hear Of
the tragedy. He camped upon his
office chair and sat there await
ing for Williams to make his
appearance. That individual, how
ever, amused himself through
out yesterday forenoon making
a tour of the different beer saloons
around town. Yesterday morning
Officers Botello and Reel, of the
mounted force. started out on horse
back endeavoring to capture the fiend.
They first visited the scene of the
tragedy and tracked Williams foot
prints from the spot where he killed
his wife down Second street to the
river bed. There he found the end of
the trail. He then tracked him up to
Sixth and Spring streets and found
that he had been in a neighboring
beer saloon, but further than this no
information could be found. They
then gave up the chase and joined
Chief Skinner in enjoying reclining
posture in the city prison. About l p.
NJ. the telephone bell rang, which was
answered by the Chief, who received
the following message, "Come down
to Pine street and Grand avenue i'm
mediately, Williams, the murderer, is
here" Officer Botello started out at
a break-neck pace, closely followed by
a HERALD reporter. Arriving at the
place designated is the cottage resi-
dence of Mr.. Devine. The officer ap-
preached the back door cautiously,
pistol in hand. On entering he rec
ognized Williams, sitting on a chair.
On observing the officer he stood up
right, but on observing the barrel of
Botello's pistol pointing in his direc-
ton he threw up his hands. The
officer handcuffed him without any
further trouble. He was asked
where the pistol was with which
he committed the deed, but
his only reply was a grunt.
He was placed in wagon and con-
veyed to the city prison where a charge
OF murder was placed opposite his
name upon the prison register. He is
man abont five feet ten inches in
height, and his unkept hair and semi
growth of beard gives him very
hardened appearance. He was about
half drunk, and was very sullen in his
manner.
"What is the matter with you, part
ner," said he to Prison Keeper Nc
Keag as he turned his smiling counte-
nance toward him.
"Oh you are only in for drunk, :"
said McKeag.
go off and die," replied the pris-
oner, 81 am on to your little racket,
SHOT MY WIFE
Last night accidentally, and you have
brought me in for that Is she
dead?"
On being told that she was not he
appeared pleased, and walked
off to his cell with
the agility of policeman
running away from a burglar.
THE INQUEST.
At 3 O'Clock p. M. the undertaking
parlors of Orr & Sutch, on Spring
street, were crowded with throng of
witnesses ready to testify as to their
knowledge of the killing OF Mrs. Will
liams. Her body lay in neat casket
in the back part of the establishment,
where y had been placed after the
post ortem examination had been
hel A crowd of people fingered
p and the outer doorway, which con-
.derably increased as hack drove
up. From the vehicle emerged the
prisoner, Williams, in charge OF Chief
Skinner, several policemen, and a
couple of deputy constablcs. The
Chief surveyed the crowd for few
moments with look which
suggested that he apprehended
mob violence. The crowd
was very orderly one, however, and
a passage-way was made through their
ranks, along which the prisoner
passed. He was taken into the inner
room, around which the jury sat. He
seated himself upon a chair, and by
his drunken, idiotic talk disguised all
present. "Say," said he to Coroner
Meredith, lis my old woman dead? =?
Tell me if she is, for don't want to
live without her. l didn't mean to
shoot her; l couldn't help it. Hang
me if YOU Will; l don't give d"
The Coroner asked if he wanted to
testify, and he replied that he did,
but that he must be allowed to look
upon Mammals body first. This
was refused. and the Coroner instruct
ed Captain Tyler to remove the pris-
oner from the room. The request
was granted and Williams was con-
yeyed to the carriage within the clasp
of Officer Botello, and driven back to
the city prison.
ANNIE WEBER,
the daughter of the deceased and
step-child of the accused, was the first
witness called. She is beautiful
little demi-brunette of about twelve
years of age with very intelligent
countenance. She took the witness
chair and looked straight into the
ewes of the Coroner while he interro,
gated her. ''Do | know the nature OF
an oath," she began. Yes, sir, DO
If / don't tell the truth won't 60 te
Heaven. Last evening my mother
and / went to see Cinderella (on Sat
urday night.) We returned home and
went to Mrs. Capel's to get my little
sister. My step-father came ir
while we were there and We
all left together. When VIZ
cot on the street Williams
threatened my mamma and she
started for policeman. When she
cot to the corner of Guadalupe ant
Iiamede streets he pulled out hi